Location-based services is an enabler for smart logistics, bringing information on the location of a user's mobile device to existing mobile applications. This creates a raft of enriched, personalized services designed to meet user and enterprise demand for increased safety, efficiency and convenience.

Scope

In this case study, the ICT system includes the usage of the mobile network and mobile phones to transmit information to the positioning systems, Geographical Information System, monitoring PCs and application servers required. The application software is assumed to be deployed in a data centre including power, cooling, building infrastructure etc.

In the original Business As Usual (BAU) system service units are sent out to perform service tasks at various locations. Service units is in this case considered to utilize individual service vehicles (personal cars). Depending on the time it takes to complete a task, units become ready for new assignments. In a typical case a service unit could be scheduled for a task on the priority list, implying perhaps a distant travel, as the service centre is not aware of the location of the address or location of the service units. Potentially, other service units may in this case be located closer to the new task, and be able to respond within a shorter time than the more distant service unit.

The primary effect of the workforce management service is the reduced need for traveling with the service vehicles. In reality this means less time spent for transportation, and more time for solving customer service requests. Additional enabling effects include potential reduction of service vehicles as the number of trips (traveled distance) is reduced.

Result

The results in the figure below is based on a mix of secondary and modeled data.

It is assumed that based on Telstra "Using ICT to drive your sustainability strategy", 2009 Location Based Services implemented at Avea will enable the following reductions:

Fuel: 8% (with a total distance of 23 000 km per subyear)

Vehicles: 17%

Field Force Management enabled by Location Based Services has the potential to reduce CO2e emissions by up to 510 kg CO2e/subscriber/year while only adding 5 kg of CO2e/subscriber/year for the service system.

The potential reduction ratio over a 20 year period could be 1:100, depending on whether the infrastructure is included and, if so, to what extent.

The absolute reduction is about 710 tonnes CO2e per year if applied to Avea Mobile customers with a total of around 1400 subscribed employees.